The driver denies any intention of homicide. He was charged Thursday but released by the investigating judge, we learned Friday from the King’s prosecutor in Tournai.
The facts took place during the night from Wednesday to Thursday, shortly before midnight, in the Grand-Rue, in the Mont-à-Leux district.
For a reason that the investigation will have to try to determine, a quarrel occurred between a motorist of French nationality and two people, a man and a woman.
At the end of this argument, verbal it seems, the driver got into his car and mowed down the two people who were taken care of and transferred to the Mouscron Hospital Center by the emergency services.
“The lady was injured but did not suffer any incapacity for work.
On the other hand, the man is still in a coma and his vital prognosis is still engaged”said Friday the Divisional King’s Prosecutor in Tournai, Éric Delhaye.
After hitting the two pedestrians, the driver left in the direction of the near French border. The case was taken over by the deputy public prosecutor on duty. The case was investigated on the count of attempted murder.
“According to his version, the driver of the car took refuge in his vehicle, then returned to France to avoid a new confrontation. He then presented himself to a police station in France. He was then contacted by a Mouscron police investigator, then spontaneously presented himself to the Mouscron police station”, clarified the king’s prosecutor of Tournai.
Heard by an examining magistrate in Mons, the driver was charged with simple assault and battery once morest the lady and assault and battery resulting in incapacity with regard to the man.
“The charge of attempted murder requested by the prosecution was not retained, following the explanations of the accused, who disputes any intention of homicide, but also certain elements of the investigation. He was released “, subject to conditions. If the male victim were to unfortunately die, it is possible that the indictment will be modified by the examining magistrate”finally specified Éric Delhaye.
